I'm actually from INTI's AUP. Applied to Penn State University Park, Wis-Mad and Minnesota Twin Cities. So far got accepted to Penn State and still awaiting replies from Minnesota and Wis-Mad. Depending on my SAT results in November, I might apply to some of the more difficult schools as a freshman (although honestly, I'm so tired with the whole application process).

YES. I feel you for the financial aid part. And honestly it is so ridiculously expensive to apply to the States. The online application fees, courier fees and TOEFL delivery fees all add up to a ridiculous amount. Common App alone is already a whooping $75 for UMich. But if I'm not mistaken, there's an Opportunity Fund from MACEE which will pay for all the costs of applying. I could be wrong though.

Pressure is good  . It keeps you on edge and pushes you to achieve your dreams.

Which schools said they wouldn't accept SPM though? I've had so many bad experiences with the admissions counselors who reply emails. Sometimes you have to really push your case about SPM being your final highschool transcript. But it's all good since you're taking A levels.

All the best with the SATs and A levels! Feel free to PM me anytime if you have any questions about US universities and I'll try to answer to the best of my knowledge

I'm studying Economics  . Surprise, surprise! Although I'm actually considering a double major or a minor in Math. I haven't sat for the SATs (heh, puns) yet, I'm sitting for it on November 8th. I'll definitely let you know how it goes! Right now I'm trying to juggle between SAT prep and my college courses . So honestly I don't think I'm going to do that well.

Don't worry, if you get into a very good school there will be scholarships. Work hard to make your NYU dreams come true!

Ah, no worries! But do your best for SPM because you'll still  have to send your SPM results when you apply. Don't worry, A-levels is very safe, and you'll get some credits transferred from it too.

Wow! You can predict your future?

Can you control your destiny to get all B's?

Isn't the same method to solve ax² + bx + c = 0 applies to both UEC and SPM?

Nope, I'm in INTI's ADP/AUP program. I didn't take A levels, heh.

I'm using the blue book from collegeboard. Been studying for around half a month. I have a month left until my test date .
I think you will, don't worry about it too much! Just do your best

Basically, you feel overwhelmed by the number of exams you need to face, and not by the difficulty of the subjects.

The point I'm trying to make is that if you are competitively good at a subject, then naturally you can do well in both UEC and SPM. Just like Newton's Laws apply everywhere on Earth. The laws do not change whether you are sitting for UEC or SPM. Anyway, have confidence in yourself. You can definitely get more than 10A's in combined exams.

Hi,

Yup, because I was expecting myself to go to uni right after my A-levels, unfortunately I did not get any offers.

I am not sure how the Chinese vernacular school culture is, but in my high school being friendly with teachers was pretty common. Just joke around while maintaining good grades, sounds weird but seems to work haha. My lecturers were very nice, some even came to college at night to tutor us during exam period.

Well, just try your best, I am sure you will do alright. 

I went to TCSJ, so I can only speak for that. The co-co activities are pretty abundant, and have a wide variety as well, just pick wisely. Those stuff you said also help, a little goes a long way, just don't do them at the expense of your studies.

NYU is really good, but living costs might be a bit steep, so it is your call in the end, the others I am not so sure. I will be applying to UTAustin as well! I don't wish to see you there as I hope you get a spot in NYU. 

There are no UK styled "personal statements" for US apps as far as I know, it is usually all essays. It is fine, you can source English tutors outside and have them give their opinion on it, albeit with a fee. Understand this, there is no shame or waste in paying someone experienced to spot-check/give feedback to you, that money spent could potentially secure you a spot at your desired uni. I don't think I am qualified to give you any advice on essays as I will be applying for the same intake as you, however application process wise I might be able to give you a hand whenever I can, just shoot me a PM.

No problem 

Early decision opens in November for most unis. I am now interning at a think tank.

Hahaha, well, you know the problem, find ways to make things right in college then.

I have friends from Klang who leave home at 6+am to make it for 8am classes, if that gives you an idea of the traffic. I joined Model United Nations (MUN). It is basically a society where they send you to conferences, in which you will represent a country and discuss on world issues. Rotary/interact clubs are pretty good too, just have a look during co-co day, they might have newer societies.

Well, if you have their support, I have nothing more to comment on this apart from all the best.

Well, you might say it is bland and boring, but I see it as structured and organised. That means the context of the PS is extremely important as you are given less wiggle room to make achievements seem more impressive than they really are. As I said, this is a decision you have to make alone, I am just a stranger on the internet giving my 2 cents.

From my perspective, it is because we are a commonwealth country, our professional certifications are linked (ACCA, ICAA, Bar), it is easier to find a job here should you not find one at the country you studied at. Application processes for US unis can be tedious as well, the number of essays that need to be written are proportional to the unis you apply, whereas for the UK one personal statement is all you need. The UK and Aussie unis "pre-uni" programme are widely available as courses for you to take (A-Levels, SAM/AUSMAT) as well, whereas SATS can be difficult to prep for because it is an extra study. Then again, ADP is slowly gaining traction so I believe that might change in the coming years.

I chose the US because my dad thinks it is an extremely promising place to obtain a tertiary education, and he shared his sentiments with me which got me interested.
I did apply to Aussie, as TCSJ has "ties" with most Aussie unis, so all I needed to do was to meet the requirements for my desired course, fill in form and submit. No application fee whatsoever. In terms of the UK, unless I am applying to your LSE's or UCL's (which I am wayyyy underqualified),  I don't see it worth going as I can apply to HK/Singapore, which is equal if not better than most UK unis. Mind you I am not planning to apply a science-based course, hence there is no need for good educational facilities (labs).

Cheers. 

nice to see this thread getting some traffic again

I'm no longer a student though haha

Nope, it is called GMMF, they promote moderation through activities and deal with social issues locally and internationally.

Great! You have the spirit! Try to convince some of your college friends to apply there as well, it is good to have people on the same boat as you. Well, I haven't heard anyone say that about the US, to each of our own I guess.

I am taking the November seating if that is what you meant.
Yeah, I never heard of it till I started college, but after a bit of digging it seems pretty popular as it is time and cost efficient.

It was more of an influence than a one-advice thing, so I don't think I can give you any insight on that.
Well, it depends. If I get my top choices it is a no-brainer, but if its UT Austin vs Uni of Melbourne, sigh, I don't know. 

If you're planning to come back, you should know that there are more University of Melbourne alumni here compared to UT alumni. If you'd ask any random person, chances are they'll think Melbourne is a far better university since they hear the name often and UT is some unknown chapalang university.

I'm not even kidding. You can be from UPenn, Columbia, UChigaon, U Illinois, UCLA and they'll have the same perception too since it's unknown in this part of the world.

Hi,

Yes, I intend to come back here to work, but not right after I finish my tertiary education, I want to work there for a couple years.

Of course, even by world ranking UMelb higher than UTAustin, but there are other factors such as costs of living, tuition fees, job opportunities etc.

Thanks for the advice though, appreciate it

90% of people who stayed back to work in the states will not return to msia after that....

the ratio is about the same for australia...

much less for uk....

Yup, it isn't that popular, but I am happy there

Ahha, well, as long as you all see it through, I am sure you guys will all do well.

To be honest, I never felt confident about it, so I really can't help you here, sorry.

I plan to do accouting, which has that certification issue I mentioned earlier as I worry it might be a hassle to "port" it should I come back to work.

There's this mentality which makes them think they need to return asap to look after their old parents and siblings. Of course it makes more sense to stay there, earn more and bring the whole family over after a few year but they normally want to do it the other way around. I've tried to my wits end to convince my a few of my friends to stay on but they wouldn't. Maybe it's a cultural issue, I don't know.
I learned it the hard way. Wish someone told me before I blew my money in US...

Thanks for the reply!

I did it June/July this year, studied about a-month-and-a-half prior to the test, and all the guidance I got was from the College Confidential forum.

I'm spm candidates 2014 and i want to study law
Can someone tell me do harvard have undergraduate degree and what i should do if i want to study at harvard?

Thank you

If you get a 2100, you probably want to look at someplace that's ranked higher than UT

2100 will get you into something better than Stern. Besides, I wouldn't apply as a pre-admit to the b school if I were you.